A cross section of the returnees
A total of 83 Nigerian nationals and two government officials have safely returned to the country from South Africa, with the Federal Government calling on state governments to support the rehabilitation and resettlement of citizens evacuated following xenophobic incidents.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday evening and were received by officials of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who coordinated the reception alongside relevant government agencies.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday, expressing appreciation to the agencies and individuals that played key roles in ensuring the successful evacuation and reception of the returnees.
She thanked officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Immigration Service, Port Health Services and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for assisting with the reception, processing and documentation of the returning Nigerians.
The minister appealed to state governments to complement the Federal Government’s efforts by providing support for their indigenes who returned from South Africa, noting that many were forced to abandon their businesses, jobs and properties but were fortunate to escape with their lives.
“We continue to appeal to state governments to complement Federal Government’s repatriation efforts by coming to the aid of their returnees, many of which left South Africa, abandoning livelihoods and properties but lucky to be alive.”
She said such assistance would align with the Citizen Diplomacy objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda being championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We urge this demonstration of empathy and compassion in furtherance of the Citizen Diplomacy imperatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda which the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has amply demonstrated by ensuring that multiple evacuation flights were provided to bring home Nigerian citizens at risk in South Africa.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also commended Nigerians and groups that contributed to the evacuation exercise through donations and logistical support.
We applaud altruistic Nigerian citizens and public spirited individuals who have been doing their own bit by donating flight tickets and providing logistical assistance for our imperiled Nationals affected by Xenophobic incidents in South Africa.”
She further urged state governments to emulate such gestures by helping the returnees recover from the trauma they experienced and assisting them with relocation and reintegration.
“We urge state governments to follow suit by helping to alleviate the trauma these citizens have endured, and to assist in relocation and resettlement of their returning indigenes. Every progressive nation/state is measured, not by it’s vaults but by it’s values.”
According to the minister, the latest batch of returnees came from Anambra, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Enugu, Ekiti, Abia, Osun, Delta, Kwara and Ogun states.
She also acknowledged the support of the Group of Business Friends, describing the organisation’s intervention as a significant contribution to the government’s evacuation efforts.
“We thank the Group of Business Friends who facilitated this exercise. They will also be facilitating the return of another batch of Nationals from South Africa next week.”
She added: “Public spirited individuals like these deserve commendation for augmenting Government’s efforts and coming to the aid of our citizens in distress. May God bless them abundantly.”
Welcoming the evacuees back to Nigeria, the minister said: “To our returning Nationals, we say once again, ‘Welcome home’.”
